U.S. patent number 9,434,439 [Application Number 14/653,383] was granted by the patent office on 2016-09-06 for vehicle.
This patent grant is currently assigned to YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA. The grantee listed for this patent is Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha. Invention is credited to Yosuke Hirayama, Toshio Iizuka.
United States Patent |
9,434,439 |
Iizuka , et al. |
September 6, 2016 |
Vehicle
Abstract
A vehicle includes a body frame that leans, two front wheels, a
link mechanism, and a hydraulic unit. The link mechanism includes
cross members and is supported on a link support portion of the
body frame. The hydraulic unit is smaller than a cross member
movable area where the cross members move relative to the body
frame as seen from the direction of middle axes of the cross
members. The hydraulic unit overlaps at least a portion of the
cross member movable area and at least a portion of external
vehicle components as seen from the direction of the middle axes
and between the cross member movable area and the external vehicle
components in relation to the direction of the middle axes. The
hydraulic unit is supported on the link support portion of the body
frame that supports the link mechanism.
Inventors: |
Iizuka; Toshio (Shizuoka,
JP), Hirayama; Yosuke (Shizuoka, JP) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha |
Iwata-shi, Shizuoka |
N/A |
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI
KAISHA (Shizuoka, JP)
|
Family
ID: |
50978541 |
Appl.
No.: |
14/653,383 |
Filed: |
December 20, 2013 |
PCT
Filed: |
December 20, 2013 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/JP2013/084284 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
June 18, 2015 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO2014/098227 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
June 26, 2014 |
Prior Publication Data
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|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20150344097 A1 |
Dec 3, 2015 |
|
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Dec 21, 2012 [JP] |
|
|
2012-278878 |
Dec 21, 2012 [JP] |
|
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2012-278879 |
Jul 1, 2013 [JP] |
|
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2013-138481 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62K
25/04 (20130101); B62K 5/08 (20130101); B62K
5/10 (20130101); B62K 5/05 (20130101); B62K
19/38 (20130101); B62D 9/02 (20130101); B62K
5/027 (20130101); B62K 2005/001 (20130101); B60G
2300/122 (20130101); B60G 2300/45 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B62K
5/10 (20130101); B62K 19/38 (20060101); B62K
25/04 (20060101); B62K 5/05 (20130101); B62K
5/027 (20130101); B62K 5/08 (20060101); B62K
5/00 (20130101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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|
|
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|
1 561 612 |
|
Aug 2005 |
|
EP |
|
2 213 536 |
|
Aug 2010 |
|
EP |
|
2 368 729 |
|
Sep 2011 |
|
EP |
|
11-314589 |
|
Nov 1999 |
|
JP |
|
2010-228551 |
|
Oct 2010 |
|
JP |
|
Other References
Official Communication issued in International Patent Application
No. PCT/JP2013/084284, mailed on Jan. 28, 2014. cited by applicant
.
Piaggio, "Catalogo Parti Di Ricambio", NTRC000U01, MP3 300 ie LT
Mod. ZAPM64102, 116 pages. cited by applicant .
Official Communication issued in corresponding European Patent
Application No. 13863762.4, mailed on Jan. 4, 2016. cited by
applicant .
Official Communication issued in corresponding European Patent
Application No. 13863762.4, mailed on Dec. 15, 2015. cited by
applicant .
Hirayama; "Vehicle"; U.S. Appl. No. 14/901,375, filed Dec. 28,
2015. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Evans; Bryan
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Keating and Bennett, LLP
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A vehicle comprising: a body frame; a left front wheel and a
right front wheel disposed in a left and right direction of the
body frame when seen from a front of the vehicle and that are
configured to be steered; a rear wheel disposed behind the left
front wheel and the right front wheel; a hydraulic brake system
provided on any one of the right front wheel, the left front wheel,
and the rear wheel; a left shock absorbing device that supports the
left front wheel at a lower portion thereof and is configured to
absorb an upward displacement of the left front wheel in an
up-and-down direction of the body frame; a right shock absorbing
device that supports the right front wheel at a lower portion
thereof and is configured to absorb an upward displacement of the
right front wheel in the up-and-down direction of the body frame; a
link mechanism including: a right side member that supports an
upper portion of the right shock absorbing device so as to turn
about a right steering axis that extends in the up-and-down
direction of the body frame; a left side member that supports an
upper portion of the left shock absorbing device so as to turn
about a left steering axis parallel or substantially parallel to
the right steering axis; and a plurality of cross members that
support the right side member at right end portions thereof so as
to turn about right axes that extend in a front-and-rear direction
of the body frame, that support the left side member at left end
portions thereof so as to turn about left axes parallel or
substantially parallel to the right axes, and supported on a link
support portion of the body frame at middle portions thereof so as
to turn about middle axes parallel or substantially parallel to the
right axes and the left axes; an external vehicle component of
which at least a portion is disposed forward of or rearward of the
link mechanism in the front-and-rear direction of the body frame
and that defines at least a portion of an external surface of the
vehicle; and a hydraulic unit configured to control a braking force
of the hydraulic brake system; wherein the hydraulic unit is
smaller than a cross member movable area where the plurality of
cross members move relative to the body frame as seen from a
direction of the middle axes, is disposed in a position that
overlaps at least a portion of the cross member movable area and at
least a portion of the external vehicle component as seen from the
direction of the middle axes and between the cross member movable
area and the external vehicle component in relation to the
direction of the middle axes, and is supported on the link support
portion of the body frame that supports the link mechanism.
2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the hydraulic unit is
disposed in a position closer to the middle axes than to the left
end portions and to the right end portions of the cross members as
seen from the direction of the middle axes.
3. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the external vehicle
component includes an external surface of which a middle portion in
the left and right direction of the body frame is located farther
forward or rearward than a right portion or a left portion thereof
in the front-and-rear direction of the body frame; and the
hydraulic unit is disposed between the cross member movable area
and the external surface of the external vehicle component in
relation to the direction of the middle axes.
4. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the external vehicle
component includes an external surface of which a middle portion in
the up-and-down direction of the body frame is farther forward or
rearward than an upper portion or a lower portion thereof in the
front-and-rear direction of the body frame; and the hydraulic unit
is disposed between the cross member movable area and the external
surface of the external vehicle component in relation to the
direction of the middle axes.
5. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the hydraulic unit
includes a first end surface that intersects the middle axes and is
closer to the cross member movable area than to the external
vehicle component, and is wider than a second end surface that
intersects the middle axes and is closer to the external vehicle
component than to the cross member movable area.
6. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the link mechanism
includes a tie-rod that turns together with a steering shaft and
that transfers a turning motion of the steering shaft to the left
front wheel and to the right front wheel; and the hydraulic unit is
located above the tie-rod as seen from the direction of the middle
axes.
7. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a supporting length
between the link support portion and the link mechanism is shorter
than a supporting length between the hydraulic unit and the link
support portion.
8. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the link support
portion, the link mechanism, and the hydraulic unit are aligned, in
this order, in relation to the direction of the middle axes.
9. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the hydraulic unit is
smaller than the link mechanism as seen from the up-and-down
direction of the body frame.
10. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the body frame is
disposed between the link mechanism and the hydraulic unit in
relation to the direction of the middle axes.
11. The vehicle according to claim 10, wherein the link mechanism
is larger than the link support portion and the hydraulic unit as
seen from the up-and-down direction of the body frame.
12. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein as seen from the
up-and-down direction of the body frame, the link mechanism is
larger than the hydraulic unit, and the hydraulic unit is disposed
farther leftward or rightward of the body frame than the link
support portion.
13. The vehicle according to claim 12, wherein the hydraulic unit
is disposed in an interior of an area occupied by the link
mechanism and the link support portion in relation to the direction
of the middle axes.
14. The vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the hydraulic unit is
located on a center line between a center line of the left front
wheel and a center line of the right front wheel such that at least
a portion of the hydraulic unit overlaps the center line as seen
from the direction of the middle axes.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a vehicle that includes a
hydraulic unit for use in an ABS.
2. Description of the Related Art
Vehicles including a body frame that can lean and two front wheels
are known in Catalogo partidi ricambio, MP3 300 64102 ie LT Mod.
ZAPM64102, Piaggio and the like. Such vehicles include a link
mechanism at a front portion thereof. In these vehicles, the
traveling direction of the vehicle is changed by causing a vehicle
body to lean.
In these vehicles, a brake lever and a master cylinder are disposed
at a left portion and a right portion of a handlebar. Pipes
connected to the master cylinder at their ends pass from upper
portions of side rods of the link mechanism through interiors of
the side rods to be connected to calipers of a left front wheel and
a right front wheel at the other ends.
In the vehicle described in Catalogo partidi ricambio, MP3 300
64102 ie LT Mod. ZAPM64102, Piaggio that includes the body frame
that leans and the two front wheels, a front portion of the vehicle
becomes large. This is attributed to the fact that the vehicle
includes two steerable front wheels, that is, the right front wheel
and the left front wheel and the link mechanism that supports the
right front wheel and the left front wheel so as to be displaced
relative to the body frame in an up-and-down direction of the body
frame. With the body frame leaning with respect to a perpendicular
direction, the members of the link mechanism move a large distance,
and the right front wheel and the left front wheel are displaced a
large distance relative to the body frame. This increases the size
of an external vehicle component provided at the front portion of
the vehicle so as to avoid interference with the link mechanism
that moves a large distance and the right front wheel and the left
front wheel that are displaced a large distance. As a result of
this configuration, in the vehicle described in Catalogo partidi
ricambio, MP3 300 64102 ie LT Mod. ZAPM64102, Piaggio that includes
the body frame that leans and the two front wheels, the front
portion of the vehicle becomes large.
It is desired that an ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) is mounted on
the vehicle described in Catalogo partidi ricambio, MP3 300 64102
ie LT Mod. ZAPM64102, Piaggio that includes the body frame that
leans and the two front wheels. In general, a hydraulic unit
included in the ABS is heavier in weight and larger in volume among
vehicle components on the vehicle, and therefore, the following
problems are expected to occur.
In mounting the hydraulic unit on the vehicle, the rigidity of the
support for the hydraulic unit needs to be ensured since the
hydraulic unit is heavy. However, ensuring the rigidity of the
support tends to enlarge or complex the supporting construction of
the hydraulic unit.
Additionally, since the volume of the hydraulic unit is large,
enlargement of the vehicle needs to be prevented by devising the
positional relationship between the hydraulic unit and other
vehicle components.
To make this happen, when attempting to mount an ABS on a vehicle
like the one described in Catalogo partidi ricambio, MP3 300 64102
ie LT Mod. ZAPM64102, Piaggio that includes a body frame that leans
and two front wheels, there are concerns that the vehicle is
enlarged.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a vehicle
including a body frame that leans and two front wheels that
prevents enlargement of the vehicle even though a hydraulic unit is
mounted thereon.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a vehicle
including a body frame; a left front wheel and a right front wheel
disposed in a left-and-right direction when seen from the front of
the vehicle and configured to be steered; a rear wheel disposed
behind the left front wheel and the right front wheel; a hydraulic
brake system provided on any one of the right front wheel, the left
front wheel, and the rear wheel; a left shock absorbing device that
supports the left front wheel at a lower portion thereof and
configured to absorb an upward displacement of the left front wheel
in an up-and-down direction of the body frame; a right shock
absorbing device that supports the right front wheel at a lower
portion thereof and configured to absorb an upward displacement of
the right front wheel in the up-and-down direction of the body
frame; a link mechanism including a right side member that supports
an upper portion of the right shock absorbing device so as to turn
about a right steering axis that extends in the up-and-down
direction of the body frame, a left side member that supports an
upper portion of the left shock absorbing device so as to turn
about a left steering axis parallel or substantially parallel to
the right steering axis, and a plurality of cross members that
support the right side member at right end portions thereof so as
to turn about right axes that extend in a front-and-rear direction
of the body frame, that support the left side member at left end
portions thereof so as to turn about left axes parallel or
substantially parallel to the right axes, and supported on a link
support portion of the body frame at middle portions thereof so as
to turn about middle axes parallel or substantially parallel to the
right axes and the left axes; an external vehicle component of
which at least a portion is disposed forward of or rearward of the
link mechanism in the front-and-rear direction of the body frame
and that defines at least a portion of an external surface of the
vehicle; and a hydraulic unit configured to control a braking force
of a hydraulic brake system; wherein the hydraulic unit is smaller
than a cross member movable area where the plurality of cross
members move relative to the body frame as seen from the direction
of the middle axes, is disposed in a location that overlaps at
least a portion of the cross member movable area and at least a
portion of the external vehicle component as seen from the
direction of the middle axes and between the cross member movable
area and the external vehicle component in relation to the
direction of the middle axes, and is supported on the link support
portion of the body frame that supports the link mechanism.
According to the configuration described above, the hydraulic unit
is smaller than the cross member movable area where the plurality
of cross members move relative to the body frame as seen from the
direction of the middle axes, and the hydraulic unit is disposed in
a location that overlaps at least a portion of the cross member
movable area and at least a portion of the external vehicle
component as seen from the direction of the middle axes and between
the cross member movable area and the external vehicle component in
relation to the direction of the middle axes and is supported on
the link support portion of the body frame that supports the link
mechanism.
Incidentally, a hydraulic unit includes a plurality of components
such as solenoid valves that control the fluid and a circuit board
that controls the solenoid valves. This increases the volume and
weight of the hydraulic unit to some extent, and in addition to
this, these functions restrict the degree of freedom in designing
the external shape of the hydraulic unit. In general, a hydraulic
unit preferably has a rectangular or substantially rectangular
parallelepiped configuration with few irregularities on an external
surface thereof or a shape including a combination of a rectangular
or substantially rectangular parallelepiped and a circular or
substantially circular cylinder. Although a hydraulic unit includes
fine irregularities on the external surface thereof, the hydraulic
unit has no large irregularities thereon. Because of this, when
arranging such a hydraulic unit, it is necessary to ensure a large
space. A vehicle including a body frame that can lean and two front
wheels is smaller than a four-wheeled vehicle. Therefore, when
attempting to arrange the hydraulic unit on the vehicle including
the body frame that can lean and the two front wheels, compared
with a case where the hydraulic unit is disposed on a four-wheeled
vehicle, there is a possibility that arranging the hydraulic unit
on the vehicle enlarges the vehicle in size.
A study has been made on a mounting location of the hydraulic unit
in the vehicle including the body frame that can lean and the two
front wheels, that is, on a mounting location suitable for
disposing a hydraulic unit that is large in volume and heavy in
weight, has a limited degree of freedom in designing its external
shape, and that has few irregularities on its external surface.
In the vehicle that includes the body frame that leans and the two
front wheels, the front portion of the vehicle is large. This is
attributed to the fact that the vehicle includes the two steerable
front wheels, that is, the right front wheel and the left front
wheel and the link mechanism that supports the right front wheel
and the left front wheel so as to be displaced relative to the body
frame in an up-and-down direction of the body frame. With the body
frame leaning with respect to a perpendicular or substantially
perpendicular direction, the members of the link mechanism move a
large distance, and the right front wheel and the left front wheel
are displaced a large distance relative to the body frame. This
increases the size of an external vehicle component provided at the
front portion of the vehicle so as to avoid interference with the
link mechanism that moves a large distance and the right front
wheel and the left front wheel that are displaced a large distance.
As a result of this, in the vehicle that includes the body frame
that leans and the two front wheels, the front portion of the
vehicle is large. Because of this, it has been considered difficult
to dispose the hydraulic unit at the front portion of the
vehicle.
Moreover, the link mechanism that causes the body frame to lean is
turnably supported on the body frame and moves relative to the body
frame and the components fixed to the body frame. When the
hydraulic unit is disposed on the periphery of the link mechanism,
it becomes necessary to ensure a large space on the periphery of
the link mechanism as a location to dispose the hydraulic unit in
order to avoid interference of the hydraulic unit with the link
mechanism, and this tends to enlarge the vehicle. Because of this,
it is generally considered that enlargement of the vehicle caused
by the placement of the hydraulic unit having a large volume and
heavy weight and few irregularities on its external surface is
restricted more by disposing the hydraulic unit close to a fixed
member than by providing the hydraulic unit near a movable member
of the link mechanism.
However, it has been discovered during an extensive study on the
mounting location that the cross member movable area includes a
flat or substantially flat surface perpendicular or substantially
perpendicular to the middle axes, while an internal surface of the
external vehicle component includes a complex surface with
irregularities. It has been discovered that these surface
configurations create a space between the cross member movable area
including the flat or substantially flat surface and the internal
surface of the external vehicle component including the
irregularities. In addition, it has been discovered that the space
defined between the flat or substantially flat surface of the cross
member movable area and the internal surface of the external
vehicle component including the irregularities is easily increased
because the shapes of the flat or substantially flat surface and
the internal surface are different. Further, it has also been
discovered that since the cross member movable area includes a wide
flat or substantially flat surface, it is difficult to use the
space efficiently.
Then, a study was made on the possibility of disposing the
hydraulic unit in the space between the flat or substantially flat
surface of the link mechanism and the irregular internal surface of
the external vehicle component.
According to the configuration described above, the hydraulic unit
is smaller than the cross member movable area where the cross
members move relative to the body frame as seen from the direction
of the middle axes. Additionally, the hydraulic unit is disposed in
a location where the hydraulic unit overlaps at least a portion of
the cross member movable area and at least a portion of the
external vehicle component as seen in the direction of the middle
axes. The hydraulic unit is disposed between the cross member
movable area of the cross member and the external vehicle component
in relation to the direction of the middle axes. Further, the
hydraulic unit is supported on the link support portion of the body
frame that supports the link mechanism. The cross member movable
area of the cross members is in a plane perpendicular or
substantially perpendicular to the middle axes.
On the other hand, the internal surface of the external vehicle
component includes the complex internal surface including the
irregularities. This tends to increase the space between the link
mechanism including the plane in the cross member movable area and
the external vehicle component that includes the internal surface
including the irregularities. Additionally, since the cross member
movable area has the flat or substantially flat surface, it is
difficult to use the cross member movable area efficiently.
The hydraulic unit having few irregularities on its external
surface is smaller than the cross member movable area where the
cross members move relative to the body frame as seen from the
direction of the middle axes, and the hydraulic unit is disposed in
the location that overlaps at least a portion of the cross member
movable area and at least a portion of the external vehicle
component as seen from the direction of the middle axes and between
the cross member movable area and the external vehicle component in
relation to the direction of the middle axes. Thus, even though the
hydraulic unit is mounted on the vehicle, it is possible to prevent
enlargement of the vehicle.
Moreover, the hydraulic unit is disposed in the space between the
cross member movable area of the cross member and the external
vehicle component and is supported on the link support portion that
supports the link mechanism. The link support portion of the body
frame bears loads inputted from the right front wheel and the left
front wheel. Because of this, the link support portion of the body
frame is highly rigid. By supporting the heavy hydraulic unit on
the body frame, by making use of the high rigidity of the link
support portion, the construction to enhance the rigidity of the
body frame is simplified. This restricts the enlargement in size of
the front portion of the vehicle.
Consequently, even though the hydraulic unit is mounted on the
vehicle that includes the body frame that can lean and the two
front wheels, it is possible to prevent enlargement of the
vehicle.
According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention,
the hydraulic unit is preferably disposed in a position closer to
the middle axes than to the left end portions and to the right end
portions of the cross members as seen from the direction of the
middle axes.
According to the configuration described above, the cross members
turn about the middle axes. Since the hydraulic unit is disposed in
the position closer to the middle axes, it is difficult for the
cross members to interfere with the supporting construction of the
hydraulic unit when the cross members turn. This makes it easy to
make the supporting construction of the hydraulic unit compact.
Consequently, even though the hydraulic unit is mounted on the
vehicle that includes the body frame that can lean and the two
front wheels, it is possible to prevent enlargement of the
vehicle.
According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention,
the external vehicle component preferably includes an external
surface of which a middle portion in a left-and-right direction of
the body frame is farther forward or rearward than a right portion
or a left portion in the front-and-rear direction of the body
frame, and the hydraulic unit is preferably disposed between the
cross member movable area and the external surface of the external
vehicle component in relation to the direction of the middle
axes.
According to the configuration described above, the external
surface of the external vehicle component preferably has a convex
shape, a concave shape, or a sloping surface in relation to the
front-and-rear direction of the body frame so as to enhance the
quality of the external appearance of the vehicle. Moreover, it is
possible to prevent enlargement of the vehicle while enhancing the
quality of the external appearance even though the hydraulic unit
is mounted on the vehicle that includes the body frame that can
lean and the two front wheels by disposing the hydraulic unit
between the external surface of the external vehicle component
having the convex shape, the concave shape, or the sloping surface
in relation to the front-and-rear direction of the body frame and
the cross member movable area that has the flat or substantially
flat surface.
According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention,
the external vehicle component preferably includes an external
surface of which a middle portion in the up-and-down direction of
the body frame is farther forward or rearward than an upper portion
or a lower portion thereof in the front-and-rear direction of the
body frame, and the hydraulic unit is preferably disposed between
the cross member movable area and the external surface of the
external vehicle component in relation to the direction of the
middle axes.
According to the configuration described above, the external
surface of the external vehicle component has a convex shape, a
concave shape, or a sloping surface in relation to the
front-and-rear direction of the body frame so as to enhance the
quality of the external appearance of the vehicle. Moreover, it is
possible to prevent enlargement of the vehicle while enhancing the
quality of the external appearance even though the hydraulic unit
is mounted on the vehicle that includes the body frame that can
lean and the two front wheels by disposing the hydraulic unit
between the external surface of the external vehicle component
having the convex shape, the concave shape, or the sloping surface
in relation to the front-and-rear direction of the body frame and
the cross member movable area that has the flat or substantially
flat surface.
According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention,
the hydraulic unit preferably includes a first end surface that
intersects the middle axes, that is closer to the cross member
movable area than to the external vehicle component, and is wider
than a second end surface that intersects the middle axes and that
is closer to the external vehicle component than to the cross
member movable area.
According to the configuration described above, the end surface
closer the cross member movable area includes the wide flat or
substantially flat surface, while the end surface closer to the
external vehicle component is narrow, and therefore, the hydraulic
unit is mounted on the vehicle while preventing enlargement of the
vehicle.
According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention,
the link mechanism preferably includes a tie-rod that turns
together with a steering shaft and that transfers a turning motion
of the steering shaft to the left front wheel and to the right
front wheel, and the hydraulic unit is preferably located above the
tie-rod as seen from the direction of the middle axes.
According to the configuration described above, it is difficult for
the hydraulic unit to interfere with the tie-rod and the like when
the vehicle is steered or is caused to lean.
According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention,
a supporting length between the vertical frame and the link
mechanism is preferably shorter than a supporting length between
the hydraulic unit and the link support portion.
According to the configuration described above, the rigidity of the
link mechanism, which is heavier than the hydraulic unit supported
on the link support portion, is enhanced without the hydraulic unit
interfering with the link mechanism.
According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention,
the link support portion, the link mechanism, and the hydraulic
unit are preferably aligned in this order in relation to the
direction of the middle axes.
In general, the link mechanism has a larger volume than those of
the link support portion and the hydraulic unit. Because of this,
according to the configuration described above, when the link
support portion, the link mechanism, and the hydraulic unit are
aligned in this order, a space occupied by these members becomes
rectangular or substantially rectangular as seen from an
up-and-down direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular
to the turning axes. Because of this, consequently, spaces on left
and right sides of the portion that protrude in a front-and-rear
direction of this space are used for other applications.
Consequently, even though the hydraulic unit is mounted on the
vehicle that includes the body frame that can lean and the two
front wheels, it is possible to prevent enlargement of the
vehicle.
According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention,
the hydraulic unit is preferably smaller than the link mechanism as
seen from the up-and-down direction of the body frame.
According to the configuration described above, the space occupied
by the link mechanism and the hydraulic unit is reduced, so that
the spaces on the left and right sides of the portion that protrude
in the front-and-rear direction of the space are used for other
applications. Consequently, even though the hydraulic unit is
mounted on the vehicle that includes the body frame that can lean
and the two front wheels, it is possible to prevent enlargement of
the vehicle.
According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention,
the link support portion is preferably disposed between the link
mechanism and the hydraulic unit in relation to the direction of
the middle axes.
According to the configuration described above, the rigidity of the
support for both the link mechanism and the hydraulic unit on the
link support portion is enhanced without the hydraulic unit and the
link mechanism interfering with each other.
According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention,
the link mechanism is preferably larger than the link support
portion and the hydraulic unit as seen from the up-and-down
direction of the body frame.
According to the configuration described above, since the large
link mechanism is disposed at an end in relation to the direction
of the middle axes, a space occupied by the link support portion,
the link mechanism, and the hydraulic unit is easily made into a
triangular or substantially triangular shape as seen from the
up-and-down direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular
to the direction of the middle axes, it is possible to effectively
use the space at the front portion of the vehicle. Consequently,
even though the hydraulic unit is mounted on the vehicle that
includes the body frame that can lean and the two front wheels, it
is possible to prevent enlargement of the vehicle.
According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention,
as seen from the up-and-down direction of the body frame, the link
mechanism is preferably larger than the hydraulic unit, and the
hydraulic unit is preferably disposed either to the left or the
right of the link support portion.
According to the configuration described above, the space occupied
by the hydraulic unit, the link support portion, and the link
mechanism is made as small as possible. Consequently, even though
the hydraulic unit is mounted on the vehicle that includes the body
frame that can lean and the two front wheels, it is possible to
prevent enlargement of the vehicle.
According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention,
the hydraulic unit is preferably disposed in an interior of an area
occupied by the link mechanism and the link support portion in
relation to the middle axes.
According to the configuration described above, the space occupied
by the hydraulic unit, the link support portion, and the link
mechanism is small in relation to the direction of the middle axes.
Consequently, even though the hydraulic unit is mounted on the
vehicle that includes the body frame that can lean and the two
front wheels, it is possible to prevent enlargement of the
vehicle.
According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention,
the hydraulic unit is preferably disposed on a center line between
a center line of the left front wheel and a center line of the
right front wheel such that at least a portion thereof overlaps the
center line as seen from the direction of the middle axes.
According to the configuration described above, it is difficult for
the hydraulic unit to interfere with the link mechanism, the front
wheels and the like when the vehicle is steered or caused to lean.
Consequently, even though the hydraulic unit is mounted on the
vehicle that includes the body frame that can lean and the two
front wheels, it is possible to prevent enlargement of the
vehicle.
The above and other elements, features, steps, characteristics and
advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from
the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments
with reference to the attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a left side view of a vehicle according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an overall front view of the vehicle shown in FIG. 1 with
a body cover removed.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a front portion of the vehicle shown
in FIG. 1 as seen from the right thereof.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a support member.
FIG. 5 is a front view showing an attaching bracket, a hydraulic
unit, and a headlamp.
FIG. 6 is a view resulting when the front of the vehicle is seen
from an up-and-down direction perpendicular or substantially
perpendicular to the turning axes.
FIG. 7 is an overall front view showing a state in which the
vehicle is caused to lean.
FIG. 8 is a view, similar to FIG. 3, which shows a second preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a view seen from a direction indicated by an arrow IX in
FIG. 8.
FIG. 10 is a view, similar to FIG. 3, which shows a vehicle
according to a third preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 11 is a view seen from a direction indicated by an arrow XI in
FIG. 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
First Preferred Embodiment
Hereinafter, a vehicle 1 which is one type of vehicle according to
a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described
by reference to the drawings. In the drawings, like reference
numerals are given to like or corresponding portions and the
description thereof will not be made repeatedly.
In the following description, an arrow F in the drawings denotes a
forward direction of the vehicle 1. An arrow R in the drawings
denotes a rightward direction of the vehicle 1. An arrow U denotes
an upward direction. A widthwise or transversely middle position of
the vehicle indicates a central position of the vehicle in a width
or transverse direction thereof when the vehicle is seen from the
front thereof. A widthwise lateral direction of the vehicle
indicates a leftward or rightward direction as seen from the
transversely middle position.
FIG. 1 is a schematic overall side view of the vehicle 1. In the
following description, when front, rear, left, and right are
referred to in indicating directions, they denote front, rear,
left, and right directions as seen from a rider who rides on the
vehicle 1.
The vehicle 1 includes a vehicle main body 2, front wheels 3, and a
rear wheel 4. The vehicle main body 2 includes a body frame 21, a
body cover 22, a handlebar 23, a seat 24, and a power unit 25.
The body frame 21 supports the power unit 25, the seat 24 and the
like. The power unit 25 includes a power source such as an engine
or an electric motor, a transmission and the like. In FIG. 1, the
body frame 21 is shown by broken lines.
The body frame 21 includes a headstock 211 that extends in an
up-and-down direction, a front frame 212 that extends from the
headstock 211 to the rear, and a rear frame 213. The headstock 211
is disposed at a front portion of the vehicle. A link mechanism 5
is disposed on the periphery of the headstock 211. In the present
preferred embodiment, the headstock 211 corresponds to a vertical
frame, and the front frame 212 and the rear frame 213 correspond to
a rear frame.
The headstock 211 is supported on the front frame 212. A steering
shaft 60 is inserted into the headstock 211 so as to turn therein.
The steering shaft 60 extends in an up-and-down direction. A first
penetrating portion 211a and a second penetrating portion 211b
protrude from the headstock 211 to the front so as to penetrate the
link mechanism 5.
The handlebar 23 is mounted on an upper end of the steering shaft
60. The front frame 212 is inclined obliquely downward from a front
end thereof to the rear. The rear frame 213 supports the seat 24
and a tail lamp.
The body frame 21 is covered by the body cover 22 as one of
external vehicle components. The body cover 22 includes a front
cover 221, front fenders 223, a rear fender 224, and a leg shield
225.
The front cover 221 is positioned forward of the seat 24. The front
cover 221 covers at least a portion of the headstock 211 and the
link mechanism 5.
The front fenders 223 are arranged individually directly above a
pair of left and right front wheels 3. The front fenders 223 are
disposed directly below the front cover 221. The rear fender 224 is
disposed directly above the rear wheel 4.
The leg shield 225 is arranged behind the headstock 211. The leg
shield 225 extends in the up-and-down direction. The leg shield 225
is disposed in front of the legs of a user who rides on the vehicle
1.
The front wheels 3 are disposed farther downward than the headstock
211 and the link mechanism 5. The front wheels 3 are disposed
directly below the front cover 221.
FIG. 2 is an overall front view of the vehicle 1 with the body
cover 22 removed. The vehicle 1 includes the handlebar 23, the
steering shaft 60, the headstock 211, the pair of left and front
wheels 3, and the link mechanism 5. The link mechanism 5 is
disposed on the periphery of the headstock 211. The link mechanism
5 is connected to the pair of left and right front wheels 3, that
is, a left front wheel 31 and a right front wheel 32. The link
mechanism 5 is attached to the headstock 211 so as to turn thereon.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the link mechanism 5 includes a cross
member 50 and a side member 55. The cross member 50 includes an
upper cross member 51 and a lower cross member 52. The cross member
50 includes a front cross member 50A located forward of the
headstock 211 and a rear cross member 50B located rearward of the
headstock 211. The upper cross member 51 includes a front upper
cross member 51A located forward of the headstock 211. The lower
cross member 52 includes a front lower cross member 52A located
forward of the headstock 211 and a rear lower cross member 52B
located rearward of the headstock 211. The front cross portion 50A
includes a front upper cross member 51A and a front lower cross
member 52A. The rear cross member 50B includes a rear lower cross
portion 52B. The side member 55 includes a left side member 53 and
a right side member 54.
The front wheels 3 include the left front wheel 31 and the right
front wheel 32 that are configured to be steered. The left front
wheel 31 is disposed to the left of a transversely middle portion
of the vehicle. A first front fender 223a, which is one of the
front fenders 223, is disposed directly above the left front wheel
31. The right front wheel 32 is disposed to the right of the
transversely middle portion of the vehicle. A second front fender
223b, which is the other of the front fenders 223, is disposed
above the right front wheel 32. The right front wheel 32 is
preferably symmetric with the left front wheel 31 with respect to
the transversely middle portion of the vehicle.
When referred to in this description, a "rightward direction RF of
the body frame 21" denotes a rightward direction of directions that
intersect an axial direction of the headstock 211 perpendicularly
or substantially perpendicularly when the vehicle 1 is seen from
the front thereof. Additionally, when referred to, an upward
direction UF of the body frame 21 denotes an upward direction of
the body frame 21 with the vehicle 1 resting upright. For example,
the upward direction of the body frame 21 coincides with the axial
direction of the headstock 211 when the vehicle 1 is seen from the
front thereof. In such a state that the vehicle 1 rests in an
upright state as shown in FIG. 2, the rightward direction RF of the
vehicle body frame 21 coincides with a rightward direction R in the
horizontal direction. Because of this, only the rightward direction
R in the horizontal direction is shown in FIG. 2. In such a state
that the vehicle 1 leans relative to a road surface G as shown in
FIG. 7, the rightward direction RF of the body frame 21 does not
coincide with the rightward direction R in the horizontal
direction, and the upward direction UF of the body frame 21 does
not coincide with an upward direction U in the perpendicular
direction.
The left front wheel 31 is connected to a left shock absorber 33.
The left front wheel 31 is connected to a lower portion of the left
shock absorber 33. The left front wheel 31 rotates about a
rotational shaft 311. The rotational shaft 311 extends in a
left-to-right direction of the vehicle body frame 21. The left
front wheel 31 turns about a turning axis 312. The vehicle 1
changes its traveling direction as a result of the left front wheel
31 turning about the turning axis 312.
The right front wheel 32 is connected to a right shock absorber 34.
The right front wheel 32 is connected to a lower portion of the
right shock absorber 34. The right front wheel 32 rotates about a
rotational shaft 321. The rotational shaft 321 extends in the
left-and-right direction of the body frame 21. The right front
wheel 32 turns about a turning axis 322. The vehicle 1 changes its
traveling direction as a result of the right front wheel 32 turning
about the turning axis 322.
The left shock absorber 33 is configured to absorb an impact
exerted on the left front wheel 31. The left shock absorber 33 is
disposed below the link mechanism 5 in relation to the up-and-down
direction of the body frame 21. The left shock absorber 33 is
provided between the left side portion 53 and the left front wheel
31. The left shock absorber 33 extends along a left steering axis
N1 that extends in a direction in which the steering shaft 60 and
the headstock 211 extend. The left shock absorber 33 is disposed to
the left of the headstock 211 in relation to the left-and-right
direction of the body frame 21. The left shock absorber 33 is
disposed to the right of the left front wheel 31 in relation to the
left-and-right direction of the body frame 21.
The right shock absorber 34 is configured to absorb an impact
exerted on the right front wheel 32. The right shock absorber 34 is
disposed below the link mechanism 5 in relation to the up-and-down
direction of the body frame 21. The right shock absorber 34 is
provided between the right side portion 54 and the right front
wheel 32. The right shock absorber 34 extends along a right
steering axis N2 in which the steering shaft 60 and the headstock
211 extend. The right shock absorber 34 is disposed to the right of
the headstock 211 in relation to the left-and-right direction of
the body frame 21. The right shock absorber 34 is disposed to the
left of the right front wheel 32 in relation to the left-and-right
direction of the body frame 21.
The left side member 53 is disposed to the left of the headstock
211 in relation to the left-and-right direction of the body frame
21. The right side member 54 is disposed to the right of the
headstock 211 in relation to the left-and-right direction of the
body frame 21. The left side member 53 and the right side member 54
are preferably cylindrical or substantially cylindrical
members.
The left side member 53 and the right side member 54 extend in the
up-and-down direction of the body frame 21 with the vehicle resting
in the upright state. A first bracket 335 is provided at a lower
portion of the left side member 53, and the left shock absorber 33
is connected to the first bracket 335. The lower portion of the
left side member 53 supports the left shock absorber 33 so as to
turn about the left steering axis N1.
A second bracket 336 is provided at a lower portion of the right
side member 54, and the right shock absorber 34 is connected to the
second bracket 336. The lower portion of the right side member 54
supports the right shock absorber 34 so as to turn about the right
steering axis N2.
The upper cross member 51 extends in the left-and-right direction
of the body frame 21 as seen from the front of the vehicle. The
upper cross member 51 is provided farther forward to the front of
the vehicle than the headstock 211. A first through hole 513 is
provided in a middle portion of the upper cross member 51 in the
left-and-right direction of the body frame 21, and a pair of
bearings, that is, an upper left bearing 512 and an upper right
bearing 512 are provided at both sides of the upper cross member 51
in the left-and-right direction of the body frame 21. The first
penetrating portion 211a that extends from the headstock 211
penetrates through the first through hole 513.
FIG. 3 is a right side view of a front portion of the vehicle. As
shown in FIG. 3, an upper middle bearing 511 is provided between
the first penetrating portion 211a and the first through hole 513.
This allows the upper cross member 51 to be supported so as to turn
relative to the headstock 211 by the first penetrating portion 211a
and the upper middle bearing 511. The upper cross member 51 turns
about an upper middle axis M1 that defines the center of the upper
middle bearing 511 relative to the headstock 211. The first through
hole 513 includes the upper middle axis M1 of the upper cross
member 51. This upper middle axis M1 is inclined relative to the
horizontal direction so as to be slightly higher at the front.
The upper cross member 51 is connected to an upper portion of the
left side member 53 and an upper portion of the right side member
54 via the upper left bearing 512 and the upper right bearing 512,
respectively. This allows the upper cross member 51 to turn
relative to the left side member 53 and the right side member 54.
The upper middle axis M1 that defines a turning center of the upper
middle bearing 511, an upper left axis M2 that defines a turning
center of the upper left bearing 512, and an upper right axis M3
that defines a turning center of the upper right bearing 512 are
parallel or substantially parallel to one another.
Returning to FIG. 2, the lower cross member 52 is located farther
downward than the upper cross member 51. The lower cross member 52
extends in the left-and-right direction when seen from the front of
the vehicle. A length in the left-and-right direction of the lower
cross member 52 is equal or substantially equal to a length in the
left-and-right direction of the upper cross member 51. The lower
cross member 52 is located farther downward than the upper cross
member 51. The lower cross member 52 includes two lower cross
members provided so as to hold the headstock 211 therebetween from
the front and the rear.
A second through hole 523 is provided in a transversely middle
portion of the lower cross member 52, and a lower left bearing 522
is provided to the left of the second through hole 523, while a
lower right bearing 522 is provided to the right of the second
through hole 523. The second penetrating portion 211b penetrates
through the second through hole 523.
As shown in FIG. 3, a lower middle bearing 521 is provided between
the second penetrating portion 211b and the second through hole
523. This allows the lower cross member 52 to be supported so as to
turn relative to the headstock 211 by the second penetrating
portion 211b and the lower middle bearings 521. The lower cross
members 52 turn about a lower middle axis M4 that defines the
center of the lower middle bearings 521 relative to the headstock
211. The second through holes 523 include the lower middle axis M4
of the lower cross members 52.
The lower middle axis M4 that defines a turning center of the lower
middle bearing 521, a lower left axis M5 that defines a turning
center of the lower left bearing 522, and a lower right axis M6
that defines a turning center of the lower right bearing 522 are
parallel or substantially parallel to one another. Additionally,
the lower middle axis M4 is parallel or substantially parallel to
the upper middle axis M1. In addition, with the vehicle 1 resting
in the upright state, a position of the lower left bearing 522 in
the left-and-right direction of the body frame 21 is the same as a
position of the upper left bearing 512 in the left-and-right
direction of the body frame 21. With the vehicle 1 resting in the
upright state, a position of the lower right bearing 522 in the
left-and-right direction of the body frame 21 is the same as a
position of the upper right bearing 512 in the left-and-right
direction of the body frame 21.
The lower cross members 52 are connected to a lower portion of the
left side member 53 and a lower portion of the right side member 54
via the lower left bearings 522 and the lower right bearings 522,
respectively. This allows the lower cross members 52 to turn
relative to the left side member 53 and the right side member
54.
Thus, by being configured in the manner described above, the link
mechanism 5 is deformed within a plane that includes the upper
cross member 51, the lower cross member 52, the left side member
53, and the right side member 54. It is noted that the link
mechanism 5 is attached to the headstock 211. Because of this, even
though the steering shaft 60 turns as the handlebar 23 is steered,
the link mechanism 5 does not turn relative to the body frame
21.
Next, the tie-rod 6 will be described by reference to FIG. 2. The
tie-rod 6 turns together with the steering shaft 60 and transfers
the turning motion of the steering shaft 60 to the left front wheel
31 and to the right front wheel 32. By doing so, the left front
wheel 31 and the right front wheel 32 is steered by the handlebar
23. The tie-rod 6 is located forward of the headstock 211. The
tie-rod 6 extends in the left-and-right direction of the body frame
21. The tie-rod 6 is disposed below the lower cross members 52 and
above the left front wheel 31 and the right front wheel 32. The
tie-rod 6 is connected to a lower portion of the steering shaft 60.
When the steering shaft 60 is turned, the tie-rod 6 moves laterally
to the left or right.
As shown in FIG. 2, the first bracket 335 is provided at the lower
portion of the left side member 53. The first bracket 335 is
connected to the left shock absorber 33.
The first bracket 335 is configured to turn relative to the left
side member 53. The tie-rod 6 is also arranged on the first bracket
335 so as to turn relative to the left side member 53. A turning
axis around which the first bracket 335 turns relative to the left
side member 53 and a turning axis around which the first bracket
335 turns relative to the tie-rod 6 are parallel or substantially
parallel to the left steering axis N1 along which the left side
member 53 extends.
The second bracket 336 is provided at the lower portion of the
right side member 54. The second bracket 336 is connected to the
right shock absorber 34. The second bracket 336 is configured to
turn relative to the right side member 54. The tie-rod 6 is also
arranged on the second bracket 336 so as to turn relative to the
right side member 54. A turning axis around which the second
bracket 336 turns relative to the right side member 54 and a
turning axis around which the second bracket 336 turns relative to
the tie-rod 6 are parallel or substantially parallel to the right
steering axis N2 along which the right side member 54 extends.
When the steering shaft 60 turns as a result of the handlebar 23
being steered, the tie-rod 6 moves laterally to the left or right.
Then, the first bracket 335 turns about the turning axis on which
the first bracket 335 turns relative to the left side member 53 as
the tie-rod 6 moves so. This moves a connecting portion 52b where
the first bracket 335 connects to the left shock absorber 33 in the
left-and-right direction, and the left front wheel 31 turns about
the turning axis 312.
In this manner, the first bracket 335 transfers the steering motion
of the handlebar 23 to the left front wheel 31. Similarly, the
second bracket 336 transfers the steering motion of the handlebar
23 to the right front wheel 32.
As shown in FIG. 3, a hydraulic unit 82 of an ABS (Anti-lock
Braking System) is provided between the upper cross member 51 of
the link mechanism 5 of the upper cross member 51 and the front
cover 221 in relation to the direction of the upper middle axis M1.
The hydraulic unit 82 includes a metallic casing, a flow path
provided in the casing, a pump, and solenoid valves, for example.
The hydraulic unit 82 controls a brake system, not shown, by
switching paths through which brake fluid flows by the solenoid
valves. Reference numeral 81 in FIG. 3 denotes a headlamp.
The headlamp 81 and the hydraulic unit 82 are supported on the
headstock 211 via an attaching bracket 7. FIG. 4 is a perspective
view of the attaching bracket 7. FIG. 5 is a front view showing the
attaching bracket 7 and the hydraulic unit 82. As shown in FIGS. 4
and 5, the attaching bracket 7 includes an integral plate portion
71 and an extending portion 72 that extends obliquely from the
plate portion 71.
As shown in FIG. 4, a first threaded hole 711 and a second threaded
hole 712 are provided in the plate portion 71. A screw, for
example, fixed to the first penetrating portion 211a extending from
the headstock 211 is inserted through the first threaded hole 711.
A screw, for example, fixed to the second penetrating portion 211b
extending from the headstock 211 is inserted through the second
threaded hole 712. This enables the attaching bracket 7 to be fixed
to the headstock 211.
A first stay 73 is provided at a lower portion on a side of the
plate portion 71 that faces the front of the vehicle. A third
threaded hole 731 is provided in a middle portion of the first stay
73 in the left-and-right direction of the body frame 21. A pair of
fourth threaded holes 732 are provided outward of the third
threaded hole 731 in the left-and-right direction. A pair of fifth
threaded holes 733 are provided outward of the pair of fourth
threaded holes 732 in the left-and-right direction. A pair of sixth
threaded holes 734 are provided outward of the pair of fifth
threaded holes 733 in the left-and-right direction.
As shown in FIG. 5, a screw, for example, is screwed through the
third threaded hole 731 in the first stay 73 to fix an attaching
piece 821 of the hydraulic unit 82 in place. Screws, for example,
are screwed through the fourth threaded holes 732 in the first stay
73 to fix an attaching piece 822 of the hydraulic unit 82 in place.
The hydraulic unit 82 is fixed to the attaching bracket 7 by
screwing the screws through the corresponding threaded holes.
The upper cross member 51 is supported on the headstock 211 by the
upper middle bearing 511. A distance between the center of the
upper middle bearing 511 that defines the connecting point where
the upper cross member 51 and the headstock 211 are connected
together and the center of the headstock 211 is defined herein as a
link mechanism side supporting length.
In contrast with this, the hydraulic unit 82 is supported on the
headstock 211 via the attaching bracket 7 by the screw inserted
through the third threaded hole 731. A distance between the center
of the third threaded hole 731 that defines the connecting point
where the hydraulic unit 82 is connected to the headstock 211 and
the center of the headstock 211 is defined as a hydraulic unit side
supporting length. The link mechanism side supporting length is
shorter than the hydraulic unit side supporting distance.
In particular, in the present preferred embodiment, the link
mechanism 5, which is heavier than the hydraulic unit 82, is
supported on the headstock 211 in a position that is closer to the
headstock 211 than the hydraulic unit 82. This enhances the
rigidity of the link mechanism 5.
The headstock 211, the upper cross member 51 of the link mechanism
5, and the hydraulic unit 82 are aligned in this order from the
rear in relation to the direction of the upper middle axis M1. As
shown in FIG. 6, as seen from the up-and-down direction of the body
frame 21, a dimension of the upper cross member 51 in the
left-and-right direction of the body frame 21 is larger than the
dimensions of the headstock 211 and the hydraulic unit 82. Because
of this, when the headstock 211, the upper cross member 51 of the
link mechanism 5, and the hydraulic unit 82 are arranged in this
order, a space S occupied by these members defines a rhombic shape
as seen from above in relation to the up-and-down direction of the
body frame 21. This rhombic shape is shaped so that its dimension
in the left-and-right direction becomes smaller as it extends from
the upper cross member 51 to the front and rear in relation to the
front-and-rear direction of the body frame 21. Consequently, spaces
S1, S2 defined on left and right hand sides of portions of the
space S that protrude to the front and rear from the upper cross
member 51 (spaces occupied by the hydraulic unit 82 and the
headstock 211) is able to be used for other applications.
Screws, for example, are screwed through the fifth threaded holes
733 and the sixth threaded holes 734 in the first stay 73 to fix
the headlamp 81 in place. This enables the headlamp 81 to be fixed
to the attaching bracket 7.
As shown in FIG. 4, a second stay 74 and a third stay 75 are
provided at a distal end of the extending portion 72. As shown in
FIG. 3, the windshield 222 is fixed to the second stay 74. The
front cover 221 is fixed to the third stay 75.
In this manner, the hydraulic unit 82 is supported on the body
frame 21 that supports the link mechanism 5 via the attaching
bracket 7. The attaching bracket 7 is fixed to the first
penetrating portion 211a and the second penetrating portion 211b
that protrude to the front from the headstock 211 to penetrate
through the link mechanism 5.
FIG. 7 is an overall front view of the vehicle 1 in which the
vehicle body is caused to lean at an angle T in the left-and-right
direction with respect to the perpendicular direction from the
state shown in FIG. 2. When the link mechanism 5 is actuated, the
vehicle 1 leans with respect to the perpendicular direction.
As this occurs, the upper cross member 51 and the lower cross
members 52 are translated in the horizontally left-and-right
direction while the direction in which they extend is kept parallel
or substantially parallel to the road surface G. The upper cross
member 51 and the lower cross members 52 turn about the upper left
axis M2 of the upper left bearing 512 and the lower left axis M5 of
the lower left bearings 522, respectively, relative to the left
side portion 53. The upper cross member 51 and the lower cross
members 52 also turn about the upper right axis M3 of the upper
right bearing 512 and the lower right axis M6 of the lower right
bearings 522, respectively, relative to the right side portion
54.
When the vehicle is seen from the front in the direction of the
upper middle axis M1, with the vehicle resting in the upright
state, the upper cross member 51, the lower cross member 52, the
left side member 53, and the right side member 54 define a
rectangular or substantially rectangular shape and are deformed
when the vehicle is caused to lean. Then, as the vehicle is caused
to lean further, the upper cross member 51, the lower cross member
52, the left side member 53, and the right side member 54 are
deformed into a parallelogram shape. In the following description,
when seen from a direction parallel or substantially parallel to an
upper middle axis A1 of the upper cross member 51 and a lower
middle axis A2 of the lower cross member 52, an area that includes
the upper cross member 51, the lower cross member 52, the left side
member 53, and the right side member 54 and defined inside the
parallelogram defined by these four members will be called an
operating space of the link mechanism 5.
In the present preferred embodiment, the link mechanism 5 operates
so that a left end of the upper cross member 51 moves farther
leftward than a left end of the lower cross member 52 in the
left-and-right direction of the body frame 21. When the link
mechanism 5 operates in this manner, the left shock absorber 33 and
the right shock absorber 34 lean with respect to the perpendicular
direction. When the vehicle 1 leans to the left with respect to the
perpendicular direction in the manner described above, the state of
the vehicle 1 changes from the state shown in FIG. 2 to the state
shown in FIG. 7.
The vehicle 1 according to the present preferred embodiment is
turned by causing the vehicle body to lean to the left or right
while the vehicle 1 is running. Additionally, the directions of the
left front wheel 31 and the right front wheel 32 are also changed
by operating the handlebar 23.
An area where the upper cross member 51 and the lower cross members
52 pass through the body frame 21 when the vehicle is caused to
lean to the left or right to its maximum extent will be called a
cross member movable area V (refer to FIGS. 2 and 7) where the
cross member 50 is able to move. As shown in FIG. 3, the cross
member movable area V of the cross member 50 includes a front cross
member movable area VA where the front cross member 50A that
includes the front upper cross member 51A and the front lower cross
member 52A is able to move relative to the body frame 21 and a rear
cross member movable area VB where the rear cross member 50B that
includes the rear lower cross member 52B is able to move relative
to the body frame 21.
As shown in FIG. 2, as seen from the direction of the middle axes,
the hydraulic unit 82 is smaller than the cross member movable area
V of the cross member 50 where the upper cross member 51 and the
lower cross members 52 are able to move relative to the body frame
21.
Additionally, as shown in FIG. 2, the hydraulic unit 82 is disposed
in a position where the hydraulic unit 82 overlaps at least a
portion of the cross member movable area V of the cross member 50
and at least a portion of the front cover 221 as seen in the
direction of the upper middle axis M1. In addition, as shown in
FIG. 3, the hydraulic unit 82 is disposed between the cross member
movable area V of the cross member 50 and the front cover 221 in
relation to the direction of the upper middle axis M1 and is
supported on the headstock 211 of the body frame 21 that supports
the link mechanism 5.
The vehicle 1 according to a preferred embodiment described above
preferably includes the body frame 21; the left front wheel 31 and
the right front wheel 32 disposed in the left-and-right direction
as seen from the front of the vehicle 1 and that is configured to
be steered; the rear wheel 4 disposed behind the left front wheel
31 and the right front wheel 32; a brake system (an example of a
hydraulic brake system) provided on any one of the left front wheel
31, the right front wheel 32, and the rear wheel 4; the left shock
absorber 33 that supports the left front wheel 31 at the lower
portion thereof and is configured to absorb the upward displacement
of the left front wheel 31 in the up-and-down direction of the body
frame 21; the right shock absorber 34 that supports the right front
wheel 32 at the lower portion thereof and is configured to absorb
the upward displacement of the right front wheel 32 in the
up-and-down direction of the body frame 21; the link mechanism 5;
the front cover 221 (an example of an external vehicle component)
of which at least a portion is disposed forward of or rearward of
at least the link mechanism 5 in the front-and-rear direction of
the body frame 21 and that defines at least a portion of an
external surface of the vehicle; and the hydraulic unit 82
configured to control a braking force of the brake system.
The link mechanism 5 preferably includes the right side member 54
that supports the upper portion of the right shock absorber 34 so
as to turn about the right steering axis N2 that extends in the
up-and-down direction of the body frame 21; the left side member 53
that supports the upper portion of the left shock absorber 33 so as
to turn about the left steering axis N1 parallel or substantially
parallel to the right steering axis N2; and the upper cross member
51 and the lower cross members 52 (an example of a plurality of
cross members) that support the right side member 54 at the right
end portions thereof so as to turn about the right axes (the upper
right axis M3 and the lower right axis M6) that extend in the
front-and-rear direction of the body frame 21, that supports the
left side member 53 at the left end portions thereof so as to turn
about the left axes (the upper left axis M2 and the lower left axis
M5) parallel or substantially parallel to the right axes, and that
is supported on the headstock 211 (an example of a link support
portion) of the body frame 21 at the middle portions thereof so as
to turn about the middle axes (the upper middle axis M1 and the
lower middle axis M4) parallel or substantially parallel to the
right axes and the left axes.
The hydraulic unit 82 is smaller than the cross member movable area
V of the cross member 50 that includes the upper cross member 51
and the lower cross members 52 where the upper and lower cross
members turn relative to the body frame 21 as seen from the
direction of the middle axes.
The hydraulic unit 82 is disposed in a position that overlaps at
least a portion of the cross member movable area V of the cross
member 50 and at least a portion of the front cover 221 as seen
from the direction of the middle axes and between the cross member
movable area V of the cross member 50 and the external vehicle
component such as the front cover 221 in relation to the direction
of the middle axes and is supported on the headstock 211 of the
body frame 21 that supports the link mechanism 5. More
specifically, the hydraulic unit 82 is disposed between the front
cross member movable area VA and the front cover 221 in relation to
the direction of the middle axes. Additionally, the hydraulic unit
82 is disposed between the rear cross member movable area VB and
the front cover 221 in relation to the direction of the middle
axes.
Incidentally, the hydraulic unit 82 includes a plurality of
components such as solenoid valves that control a fluid and a
circuit board that controls the solenoid valves. In addition to the
fact that the hydraulic unit 82 is large in volume and heavy in
weight, these functions limit the degree of freedom in designing
the external shape of the hydraulic unit 82. In general, the
hydraulic unit 82 preferably has a rectangular or substantially
rectangular parallelepiped shape with few irregularities on the
external surface thereof or a shape including a combination of a
rectangular or substantially rectangular parallelepiped and a
circular or substantially circular cylinder. Although including
fine irregularities, the hydraulic unit 82 includes few large
irregularities on the external surface thereof. Because of this,
when disposing the hydraulic unit 82, it is necessary to ensure a
large space on the vehicle. A vehicle including a body frame that
can lean and two front wheels is smaller than a four-wheeled
vehicle. Therefore, when attempting to arrange the hydraulic unit
on the vehicle including the body frame that can lean and the two
front wheels, compared with a case where the hydraulic unit is
disposed on the four-wheeled vehicle, there is a possibility that
the hydraulic unit enlarges the vehicle in size.
Then, the inventor of the preferred embodiments of the present
invention has studied a mounting location of the hydraulic unit in
the vehicle including the body frame 21 that can lean and the two
front wheels, that is, a mounting location suitable to dispose the
hydraulic unit 82 that is large in volume and heavy in weight, that
has a limited degree of freedom in designing its external shape,
and that includes few irregularities on its external surface.
Firstly, a vehicle that includes the body frame 21 that leans and
the two front wheels 31, 32 has a large front portion. This is
attributed to the fact that the vehicle includes the two steerable
front wheels 3, that is, the right front wheel 32 and the left
front wheel 31 and the link mechanism 5 that supports the right
front wheel 32 and the left front wheel 31 so as to be displaced
relative to the body frame 21 in an up-and-down direction of the
body frame 21. With the body frame 21 leaning with respect to the
perpendicular direction, the cross member 50 and the side member 55
of the link mechanism 5 move a large distance, and the right front
wheel 32 and the left front wheel 31 are displaced a large distance
relative to the body frame 21. This increases the size of external
vehicle components such as the front cover 221 provided at the
front portion of the vehicle so as to avoid interference with the
link mechanism 5 that moves a large distance and the right front
wheel 32 and the left front wheel 31 that are displaced a large
distance. As a result of this, the vehicle that includes the body
frame 21 that leans and the two front wheels 31, 32 has a large the
front portion. Based on this fact, the inventor considered that
mounting the hydraulic unit at the front portion of the vehicle
further increases enlargement of the front portion of the
vehicle.
Moreover, the link mechanism 5 is supported on the body frame 21 so
as to turn relative thereto and moves relative to the body frame 21
and the components fixed to the body frame 21. When the hydraulic
unit 82 is disposed on the periphery of the link mechanism 5, it
becomes necessary to ensure a large space on the periphery of the
link mechanism 5 as a space where to dispose the hydraulic unit 82
in order to avoid interference of the hydraulic unit 82 with the
link mechanism 5, and this has caused the inventor to consider that
the front portion of the vehicle is enlarged. Because of this, the
inventor considered that enlargement of the front portion of the
vehicle caused by the placement of the hydraulic unit 82 that is
large in volume and heavy in weight and that has few irregularities
on its external surface is reduced by disposing the hydraulic unit
82 closer to a fixed member than by providing the hydraulic unit 82
closer to a movable member of the link mechanism 5. In a vehicle
that has a large front portion and includes the body frame 21 that
leans and the two front wheels 31, 32, the inventor considered it
difficult to dispose the hydraulic unit 82 at the front portion of
the vehicle.
However, the inventor discovered during intensive studies on the
mounting location that the cross member movable area V of the cross
member 50 is a flat or substantially flat surface perpendicular or
substantially perpendicular to the middle axes M1, M4 as shown in
FIGS. 3 and 6, while an internal surface of external vehicle
components such as the front cover 221 have a complex surface
including irregularities. From this, the inventor discovered that
these surface configurations create a space between the cross
member movable area V of the cross member 50 including a flat or
substantially flat surface and the internal surface of the front
cover 221 including the irregularities. In addition, the space
between the flat or substantially flat surface of the cross member
movable area V of the cross member 50 and the irregular internal
surface of the front cover 221 tends to be large due to the shapes
of the two surfaces being different from each other. In addition to
this, the cross member movable area V of the cross member 50 has a
wide flat or substantially flat surface. From these facts, the
inventor discovered that it is difficult to utilize this space.
Then, the hydraulic unit 82 is disposed between the flat or
substantially flat surface of the cross member movable area V of
the cross member 50 and the irregular internal surface of the front
cover 221. This is based on a technical idea that the disadvantage
that the space is eventually created between the link mechanism 5
and the front cover 221 and the disadvantage of the hydraulic unit
82 that the hydraulic unit 82 generally has an external surface
with few irregularities is canceled out by a combination of these
disadvantages.
According to the vehicle 1 of the present preferred embodiment, as
shown in FIG. 2, as seen from the direction of the middle axes, the
hydraulic unit 82 is smaller than the cross member movable area V
of the cross member 50 that includes the upper cross member 51 and
the lower cross members 52 where the cross member 50 is able to
move relative to the body frame 21. Additionally, the hydraulic
unit 82 is disposed in a position where the hydraulic unit 82
overlaps at least a portion of the cross member movable area V and
at least a portion of the front cover 221 as seen in the direction
of the middle axes. As shown in FIG. 3, the hydraulic unit 82 is
disposed between the front cross member movable area VA of the
front cross member 50A and the front cover 221 in relation to the
direction of the middle axes. Additionally, the hydraulic unit 82
is disposed between the cross member movable area VB of the rear
cross member 50B and the front cover 221 in relation to the
direction of the middle axes. Further, the hydraulic unit 82 is
supported on the headstock 211 of the body frame 21 that supports
the link mechanism 5. The cross member movable area V of the cross
member 50 includes the plane perpendicular or substantially
perpendicular to the middle axes.
On the other hand, the internal surface of the external vehicle
component such as the front cover 221 includes a complex internal
surface with irregularities in many cases. For example, as shown in
FIG. 3, the front cover 221 includes the internal surface in which,
in relation to the up-and-down direction of the body frame 21, a
middle portion is located farther forward than an upper portion or
a lower portion in the front-and-rear direction of the body frame
21. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6, the front cover 221 includes
an internal surface in which, in relation to the left-and-right
direction of the body frame 21, a middle portion is located farther
forward than a left portion or a right portion in the
front-and-rear direction of the body frame 21. Additionally, a rib
225a is provided at an upper portion of the body cover that is
located at the rear of the body frame 21 to support an instrument
panel, and this rib 225a ensures the rigidity of the instrument
panel. An internal surface of the portion of the body cover has a
shape that expands toward the rear. Alternatively, on the internal
surface of the instrument panel, terminals and the like protrude
toward the front. This tends to increase the space between the link
mechanism 5 including the flat or substantially flat surface at the
cross member movable area V of the cross member 50 and the external
vehicle component that includes the irregular internal surface.
Additionally, since the cross member movable area V of the cross
member 50 includes the flat or substantially surface, it is
difficult to efficiently use this space.
The hydraulic unit 82 having a shape that has few irregularities on
its external surface is made smaller than the cross member movable
area V of the cross member 50 that includes the upper cross member
51 and the lower cross members 52 where the cross member 50 is able
to move relative to the body frame 21 as seen from the direction of
the middle axes, and the hydraulic unit 82 is disposed in a
position that overlaps at least a portion of the cross member
movable area V and at least a portion of the front cover 221 as
seen from the direction of the middle axes and between the cross
member movable area V and the cross member 50 and the external
vehicle component (the front cover 221) in relation to the
direction of the middle axes. Thus, the hydraulic unit 82 is
mounted on the vehicle 1, while preventing the enlargement
thereof.
Moreover, the hydraulic unit 82 is disposed in the space defined
between the cross member movable area V of the cross member 50 and
the external vehicle component 221 and is supported on the
headstock 211 of the body frame 21 that supports the link mechanism
5. The headstock 211 of the body frame 21 bears loads inputted from
the right front wheel 32 and the left front wheel 31. Because of
this, the headstock 211 of the body frame 21 is highly rigid. When
supporting the hydraulic unit 82 that is heavy on the body frame
21, by making use of the high rigidity of the headstock 211, the
construction to enhance the rigidity of the body frame 21 is
simplified. This prevents the enlargement in size of the front
portion of the vehicle 1.
Consequently, even though the hydraulic unit 82 is mounted on the
vehicle that includes the body frame 21 that can lean and the two
front wheels 31, 32, it is possible to prevent enlargement of the
vehicle.
In addition, in the present preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG.
2, the hydraulic unit 82 is supported on the headstock 211 and is
supported on the attaching bracket 7 that is located in a middle
portion in the left-and-right direction of the body frame 21.
Because of this, the hydraulic unit 82 is disposed on a center line
between a center line A3 (refer to FIG. 2) of the left front wheel
31 and a center line of the right front wheel 32 so that at least a
portion thereof overlaps the center line as seen from the direction
of the upper middle axis M1. This prevents the hydraulic unit 82
from interfering with the link mechanism 5, the left front wheel
31, and the right front wheel 32 even though the vehicle is turned
or caused to lean. Consequently, it is possible to provide a
vehicle on which the hydraulic unit 82 is mounted without
increasing the size of the vehicle.
In addition, in the present preferred embodiment, the hydraulic
unit 82 is supported on the attaching bracket 7 forward of the
upper cross member 51. Because of this, the hydraulic unit 82 is
provided higher than the tie-rod 6 in the up-and-down direction of
the body frame 21 as seen from the direction of the upper middle
axis M1. Since the left front wheel 31 and the right front wheel 32
are lower than the tie-rod 6 in the up-and-down direction of the
body frame 21, even though the vehicle is turned or is caused to
lean, there is no situation in which the hydraulic unit 82
interferes with the left front wheel 31 and the right front wheel
32. Consequently, it is possible to provide a vehicle on which the
hydraulic unit 82 is mounted without increasing the size of the
vehicle.
According to the vehicle 1 of the present preferred embodiment, as
shown in FIG. 2, the hydraulic unit 82 is disposed in a position
closer to the upper middle axis M1 (or the lower middle axis M4)
than to the left end portion and the right end portion of the upper
cross member 51 or the left end portions and the right end portions
of the lower cross members 52 as seen from the direction of the
upper middle axis M1.
The upper cross member 51 and the lower cross members 52 turn about
the upper middle axis M1 and the lower middle axis M4,
respectively. Since the hydraulic unit 82 is disposed in a position
located close to the upper middle axis M1 or the lower middle axis
M4, when the upper cross member 51 and the lower cross members 52
turn, it is difficult for the upper cross member 51 and the lower
cross members 52 to interfere with the construction supporting the
hydraulic unit 82. This makes it easy to make the construction
supporting the hydraulic unit 82 compact.
According to the vehicle 1 of the present preferred embodiment, as
shown in FIG. 6, the front cover 221 (an example of an external
vehicle component) includes the external surface in which, in
relation to the left-and-right direction of the body frame 21, the
middle portion is located farther forward or rearward than the
right portion or the left portion in the front-and-rear direction
of the body frame. The hydraulic unit 82 is disposed between the
cross member movable area V of the cross member 50 and the front
cover 221 in relation to the direction of the middle axis M1.
According to the configuration described above, the external
surface of the front cover 221 preferably has a convex shape, a
concave shape, or a sloping surface in relation to the
front-and-rear direction of the body frame 21 so as to enhance the
quality of the external appearance of the vehicle 1. Moreover, it
is possible to prevent enlargement of the vehicle while enhancing
the quality of the external appearance even though the hydraulic
unit 82 is mounted on the vehicle 1 that includes the body frame 21
that can lean and the two front wheels by disposing the hydraulic
unit 82 between the external surface of the front cover 221 with
the convex shape, the concave shape, or the sloping surface in
relation to the front-and-rear direction of the body frame 21 and
the cross member movable area V of the cross member 50 that has a
flat or substantially flat surface.
According to the vehicle 1 of the present preferred embodiment, as
shown in FIG. 3, the front cover 221 includes the external surface
in which, in relation to the up-and-down direction of the body
frame 21, the middle portion is located farther forward or rearward
than the upper portion or the lower portion in the front-and-rear
direction of the body frame 21. The hydraulic unit 82 is disposed
between the cross member movable area V of the cross member 50 and
the front cover 221 in relation to the direction of the middle axis
M1.
According to the configuration described above, the external
surface of the front cover 221 preferably has the convex shape, the
concave shape, or the sloping surface in relation to the
front-and-rear direction of the body frame 21 so as to enhance the
quality of the external appearance of the vehicle 1. Moreover, it
is possible to prevent enlargement of the vehicle while enhancing
the quality of the external appearance even though the hydraulic
unit 82 is mounted on the vehicle 1 that includes the body frame 21
that can lean and the two front wheels by disposing the hydraulic
unit 82 between the external surface of the front cover 221 with
the convex shape, the concave shape, or the sloping surface in
relation to the front-and-rear direction of the body frame 21 and
the cross member movable area V of the cross member 50 that has the
flat or substantially flat surface.
According to the vehicle 1 of the present preferred embodiment, as
shown in FIG. 6, the hydraulic unit 82 including a first end
surface that perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly
intersects the upper middle axis M1 and that is located closer to
the cross member movable area V of the cross member 50 than to the
front cover 221 is wider than a second end surface that
perpendicularly or substantially intersects the upper middle axis
M1 and that is located closer to the front cover 221 than to the
cross member movable area V of the cross member 50.
According to the configuration described above, of the surfaces of
the hydraulic unit 82, since the end surface located closer to the
cross member movable area V of the cross member 50 has a wide flat
or substantially flat surface and the end surface located closer to
the front cover 221 is small, the hydraulic unit is mounted on the
vehicle while preventing enlargement of the vehicle.
Second Preferred Embodiment
Next, a second preferred embodiment of the present invention will
be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. In the following
description, a feature that differs from the first preferred
embodiment that has been described above will be described, and
like reference numerals will be given to like configurations to
those of the first preferred embodiment, so that the description
thereof will be omitted. A vehicle of the second preferred
embodiment differs from the vehicle of the first preferred
embodiment in that a hydraulic unit 82A is disposed in a different
position. FIG. 8 is a view, similar to FIG. 3, which shows the
vehicle according to the second preferred embodiment. FIG. 9 is a
view seen from a direction indicated by an arrow IX in FIG. 8.
In the vehicle according to the present preferred embodiment, an
upper cross member 51 of a link mechanism 5 is provided forward of
a headstock 211 in relation to the direction of an upper middle
axis M1. The hydraulic unit 82A is provided rearward of the
headstock 211 and forward of a leg shield 225. The hydraulic unit
82A is accommodated inside the leg shield 225. The hydraulic unit
82A is smaller than the leg shield 225 when seen from the direction
of the upper middle axis M1. In particular, the hydraulic unit 82A
is smaller than a cross member movable area V of a cross member 50
that includes the upper cross member 51 and lower cross members 52
where the cross member 50 turns relative to a body frame 21 as seen
from the direction of the upper middle axis M1. Additionally, the
hydraulic unit 82A is disposed in a position where the hydraulic
unit 82A overlaps at least a portion of the cross member movable
area V of the cross member 50 and at least a portion of the leg
shield 225 as seen from the direction of the upper middle axis M1
and between the cross member movable area V of the cross member 50
and the leg shield 225 in relation to the direction of the upper
middle axis M1 and is supported on the headstock 211 of the body
frame 21 that supports the link mechanism 5. In the present
preferred embodiment, the hydraulic unit 82A is disposed between a
cross member movable area VA of a front cross member 50A and the
leg shield 225 and between a front movable area VB of a rear cross
member 50B and the leg shield 225 in relation to the direction of
the upper middle axis M1 and an upper middle axis M4.
The hydraulic unit 82A is supported on the headstock 211 via an
attaching bracket 7A fixed to the headstock 211. The attaching
bracket 7A includes a fixed portion 7A1, an extending portion 7A2,
and an attaching plate portion 7A3. The fixed portion 7A1 is fixed
to the headstock 211. The extending portion 7A2 protrudes from the
fixed portion 7A1 to a rear side opposite to a side where the upper
cross member 51 is provided. The attaching plate portion 7A3 is
provided at a rear end of the extending portion 7A2 and extends in
the direction of a surface that intersects the upper middle axis
M1. The hydraulic unit 82A is attached to the attaching plate
portion 7A3.
By using this configuration, similar to the first preferred
embodiment that has been described before, the hydraulic unit 82A
is disposed so as to avoid the cross member movable area V of the
cross member 50. Similar to the first preferred embodiment that has
been described above, this enables the hydraulic unit 82A to be
mounted on the vehicle with a high rigidity without enlarging a
front portion of the vehicle by effectively using a space defined
between the link mechanism 5 and the leg shield 225.
In addition, in the present preferred embodiment, too, a link
mechanism side supporting length from the headstock 211 to the link
mechanism 5 is shorter than a hydraulic unit side supporting length
from the headstock 211 to the hydraulic unit 82A. In the present
preferred embodiment, too, the link mechanism 5, which is heavier
than the hydraulic unit 82A, is supported on the headstock 211 in a
position that is located closer to the headstock 211 than to the
hydraulic unit 82A. This enhances the rigidity of the link
mechanism 5.
In the present preferred embodiment, the headstock 211 is disposed
between the link mechanism 5 and the hydraulic unit 82A in relation
to the direction of an upper middle axis M1. In other words, the
hydraulic unit 82A and the link mechanism 5 are disposed across the
headstock 211. By using this configuration, there is no such
situation that the hydraulic unit 82A interferes with the link
mechanism 5. In particular, it is possible to effectively prevent
interference of a brake hose or an electric wiring, not shown,
extending from the hydraulic unit 82A with the link mechanism
5.
Further, in the present preferred embodiment, as seen from above in
the up-and-down direction of the body frame 21 (a direction
indicated by an arrow IX in FIG. 8), as shown in FIG. 9, the link
mechanism 5 is larger than the headstock 211 and the hydraulic unit
82. Accordingly, a space SA occupied by the hydraulic unit 82A, the
headstock 211, and the link mechanism 5 has a triangular or
substantially triangular shape in which the hydraulic unit 82A
projects to the rear. By using this configuration, spaces SA1, SA2
on the left and right sides of the hydraulic unit 82A and the
headstock 211 are used for other applications. This enhances the
degree of freedom in designing the front portion of the
vehicle.
Third Preferred Embodiment
Next, a third preferred embodiment of the present invention will be
described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. In the following
description, a feature that differs from the first preferred
embodiment that has been described above will be described, and
like reference numerals will be given to like configurations to
those of the first preferred embodiment, so that the description
thereof will be omitted. A vehicle of the second preferred
embodiment differs from the vehicle of the first preferred
embodiment in that a hydraulic unit 82 is disposed in a different
position. FIG. 10 is a view, similar to FIG. 8, which shows the
vehicle according to the third preferred embodiment. FIG. 11 is a
view, similar to FIG. 9, which shows the vehicle according to the
third preferred embodiment.
In the present preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the
hydraulic unit 82B is disposed in a position where the hydraulic
unit 82B overlaps a headstock 211 in relation to the direction of
an upper middle axis M1. Additionally, a leg shield 225 is provided
behind the hydraulic unit 82A and the headstock 211. The cross
member 50 includes an upper cross member 51 and a lower cross
member 52. The cross member 50 includes a front cross member 50A
that is located forward of the headstock 211 and a rear cross
member 50B that is located rearward of the headstock 211. In
addition, the upper cross member 51 includes a front upper cross
member 51A that is located forward of the headstock 211 and a rear
upper cross member 51B that is located rearward of the headstock
211. The lower cross member 52 includes a front lower cross member
52A that is located forward of the headstock 211 and a rear lower
cross member 52B that is located rearward of the headstock 211. The
front cross portion 50A includes a front upper cross member 51A and
a front lower cross member 52A. The rear cross member 50B includes
a rear upper cross member 51B and a rear lower cross member
52B.
The hydraulic unit 82B is disposed between the front upper cross
member 51A and the rear upper cross member 51B in relation to the
upper middle axis M1. The hydraulic unit 82B is disposed between
the front upper cross member 51A and the leg shield 225 and between
the rear upper cross member 51B and the front cover 221 in relation
to the direction of the upper middle axis M1. The hydraulic unit
82B is disposed between the front lower cross member 52A and the
leg shield 225 in relation to the upper middle axis M1. The
hydraulic unit 82B is disposed between the rear lower cross member
52B and the front cover 221 in relation to the upper middle axis
M1.
The hydraulic unit 82B is smaller than a front cross member movable
area VA of the front cross member 50A that includes the front upper
cross member 51A and the front lower cross member 52A where the
front cross member 50A moves relative to the body frame 21 as seen
from the direction of the upper middle axis M1. Additionally, the
hydraulic unit 82B is disposed in a position where the hydraulic
unit 82B overlaps at least a portion of the cross member movable
area VA of the front cross member 50A and at least a portion of the
leg shield 225 as seen in the direction of the upper middle axis
M1. In addition, the hydraulic unit 82B is disposed between the
front upper cross member 51A and the leg shield 225 in relation to
the direction of the upper middle axis M1 and is supported on the
headstock 211 of the body frame 21 that supports the link mechanism
5.
The hydraulic unit 82B is disposed between the front cross member
movable area VA of the front cross member 50A that includes the
front upper cross member 51A and the front lower cross member 52A
where the front cross member 50A moves relative to the body frame
21 and the leg shield 225 in relation to the direction of the upper
middle axis M1 and is supported on the headstock 211 of the body
frame 21 that supports the link mechanism 5. The hydraulic unit 82B
is smaller than a cross member movable area VB of the rear cross
member 50B that includes the rear upper cross member 51B and the
rear lower cross member 52B where the rear cross member 50B moves
relative to the body frame 21 as seen from the direction of the
upper middle axis M1. Additionally, the hydraulic unit 82B is
disposed in a position where the hydraulic unit 82B overlaps at
least a portion of the cross member movable area VB of the rear
cross member 50B and at least a portion of the leg shield 225 as
seen from the direction of the upper middle axis M1. In addition,
the hydraulic unit 82B is disposed between the rear upper cross
member 51B and the front cover 221 in relation to the direction of
the upper middle axis M1 and is supported on the headstock 211 of
the body frame 21 that supports the link mechanism 5. The hydraulic
unit 82B is disposed between the cross member movable area VB of
the rear cross member 50B that includes the rear upper cross member
51B and the rear lower cross member 52B where the rear cross member
50B moves relative to the body frame 21 and the front cover 221 in
relation to the direction of the upper middle axis M1 and is
supported on the headstock 211 of the body frame 21 that supports
the link mechanism 5.
The hydraulic unit 82B is supported on the headstock 211 via an
attaching bracket 7B fixed to the headstock 211. As shown in FIG.
11, the attaching bracket 7B includes a fixed portion 7B1 and an
attaching plate portion 7B2. The fixed portion 7B1 is fixed to the
headstock 211. The attaching plate portion 7B2 extends from the
fixed portion 7A1 in a left-and-right direction of the body frame
21. Additionally, the attaching plate portion 7B2 is a plate member
that is parallel or substantially parallel to a surface that
intersects the upper middle axis M1 perpendicularly or
substantially perpendicularly. The hydraulic unit 82B is attached
to the attaching plate portion 7B2.
By using this configuration, as with the first preferred embodiment
described above, the hydraulic unit 82B is disposed so as to avoid
a space where an operation space of the link mechanism 5 expands
when the link mechanism 5 operates. This enables the hydraulic unit
82B to be mounted on the vehicle with a high supporting rigidity
without enlarging a front portion of the vehicle by effectively
using a space defined between the link mechanism 5 and the front
cover 221 or the leg shield 225.
In the present preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, as seen
from above in the up-and-down direction of the body frame 21 (a
direction indicated by an arrow IX in FIG. 10), the upper cross
member 51 of the link mechanism 5 is larger than the hydraulic unit
82B. The hydraulic unit 82B is disposed to the right of the
headstock 211 in the left-and-right direction of the body frame. By
using this configuration, the length of a space occupied by the
link mechanism 5 and the hydraulic unit 82B is shortened in
relation to the direction of the upper middle axis M1. This
enhances the degree of freedom of the space at the front portion of
the vehicle in relation to the direction of the upper middle axis
M1.
Further, as shown in FIG. 11, as seen from above (the direction
indicated by the arrow IX in FIG. 8) in the up-and-down direction
of the body frame 21, the hydraulic unit 82B is disposed in an
interior of a space B occupied by the upper cross member 51 of the
link mechanism 5 and the headstock 211 in relation to the direction
of an upper middle axis A1. By using this configuration, the length
of the space occupied by the upper cross member 51 and the
hydraulic unit 82B is further shortened in relation to the
direction of the upper middle axis M1. This further enhances the
degree of freedom of the space at the front portion of the vehicle
in relation to the direction of the upper middle axis M1.
In the present preferred embodiment, the hydraulic unit 82B may, of
course, be disposed to the left of the headstock 211 in the
left-and-right direction of the body frame 21.
Modified Examples
Thus, while the present invention has been described heretofore by
the use of the first preferred embodiment to the third preferred
embodiment thereof, the technical scope of the present invention is
not limited to the technical scopes descriptively defined in the
preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art to which the
present invention pertains will recognize that various alterations
or improvements may be made to the preferred embodiments of the
present invention.
In the preferred embodiments described above, while the vehicle is
described as preferably including a link mechanism that includes
the upper cross member 51 and the lower cross member 52, the
present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the present
invention may be applied to a vehicle that includes a link
mechanism including a middle cross member between an upper cross
member and a lower cross member.
In addition, in the preferred embodiments and the modified
examples, while the upper cross member 51 and the lower cross
member 52 preferably are described as including members that extend
continuously in the left-and-right direction, the present invention
is not limited thereto. For example, the upper cross member and the
lower cross member may each include a member that extends
rightwards from the headstock 211 and a member that extends
leftwards from the headstock 211. As this occurs, those members may
be configured so as to turn on a turning axis or may be configured
so as to turn on different turning axis. Additionally, the upper
cross member and the lower cross member may each include a member
divided into two in the left-and-right direction or two or more
members. In addition, the members of the link mechanism 5 may each
include a linear member or a member having a curved shape or any
other appropriate shape.
In addition, while the upper cross member 51 is described as being
provided only directly forward of the headstock 211, similar to the
lower cross member 52, the upper cross member 51 may include a
front upper member and a rear upper cross member that hold the
headstock 211 therebetween. In this case, too, when the hydraulic
unit 82, 82A, 82B is disposed between either of the front upper
cross member and the rear upper cross member and the external
vehicle component in relation to the direction of the upper middle
axis M1, as has been described above, it is possible to provide a
vehicle on which the hydraulic unit 82, 82A, 82B is mounted with a
high rigidity without enlarging the vehicle.
In addition, in the preferred embodiments and the modified
examples, while the vehicle 1 is described as preferably including
the two front wheels 31, 32, the present invention can also be
applied to a vehicle including two or more rear wheels.
In the preferred embodiments described above, while the headstock
211 that extends in the up-and-down direction of the body frame 21
is described as preferably being a vertical frame, the present
invention is not limited thereto. The vertical frame may also
indicate a frame curved in a position along the length thereof so
that a portion that supports the link mechanism 5 extends in the
up-and-down direction of the body frame 21 and a portion therebelow
extends towards the rear. Additionally, the vertical frame
indicates not only a frame that extends in a perpendicular or
substantially perpendicular direction but also a frame that extends
in the up-and-down direction while being inclined in the
front-and-rear direction to support the link mechanism. In
addition, the vertical frame and the rear frame that extend from
the vertical frame to the rear may include an integral member.
In the preferred embodiments described above, while the front cover
221 and the leg shield 225 are described as preferably being
external vehicle components, the present invention is not limited
thereto. The external vehicle component is a member provided at the
front portion of the vehicle so that at least a portion thereof is
exposed to the external surface of the vehicle. It is possible to
raise as the external vehicle component the body cover 22 including
the front cover 221, the leg shield 225 and the like, various lamps
including the headlamp 81, direction indicator lamps and the like,
and the instrument panel.
The construction that attaches the hydraulic unit 82 to the
headstock 211 is not limited to the attaching bracket 7, 7A, 7B.
For example, in the second preferred embodiment and the third
preferred embodiment that have been described above, the hydraulic
unit 82A, 82B is preferably attached directly to the headstock 211.
Alternatively, the hydraulic unit 82, 82A, 82B may be attached to a
stay that extends from the headstock 211 so as to avoid the
operating space of the link mechanism 5. Further, a configuration
may also be used in which the hydraulic unit 82 is fixed to the
external vehicle component such as the front cover and, further, at
least a portion of the load of this external vehicle component is
supported by the vertical frame.
In addition, in the preferred embodiments described above, while
the position where to dispose the hydraulic unit 82, 82A, 82B is
described by using the relationship between the link mechanism 5
and the headstock 211 and the external vehicle component based on
the upper middle axis A1 of the upper cross member 51, the same
description will also result even when the disposing position is
described based on the lower middle axis M4 of the lower cross
member 52. The same effect as what has been described above is
obtained even when the hydraulic unit 82, 82A, 82B is disposed
between the link mechanism 5 and the external vehicle component in
relation to the lower middle axis M4.
When referred to in this description, "parallel or substantially
parallel" also includes two straight lines inclined within the
angular range of about .+-.40 degrees, for example and that do not
intersect each other as members. When used together with a
"direction" and a "member" in the present invention, "along" also
includes a case where what follows the direction and the member is
inclined relative thereto within the angular range of .+-.40
degrees, for example. When used together with a "direction" in the
present invention, "extend" also includes a case where what extends
is inclined relative to the direction within the angular range of
about .+-.40 degrees, for example.
Vehicles according to preferred embodiments of the present
invention preferably include the body frame that can lean and two
front wheels. The number of rear wheels is not limited to one, and
hence, may be two. The vehicles may include the body cover that
covers the body frame. The vehicles may not include the body cover
which covers the body frame. The power unit includes the power
source. The power source is not limited to an engine and hence may
be an electric motor.
In the preferred embodiments described above, the right side member
53, the left side member 54, and the headstock 211 (the link
support portion) are preferably provided in positions where they
overlap one another when the body frame 21 is seen from a side
thereof. However, when the body frame 21 is seen from the side
thereof, the headstock 211 may be provided in a different position
from the positions where the right side member 53 and the left side
member 54 are provided in relation to the front-and-rear direction.
Additionally, angles at which the right side member 53 and the left
side member 54 are inclined relative to the up-and-down direction
of the body frame 21 may differ from an angle at which the
headstock 211 is inclined.
The link support portion (the headstock) may include a single
member or a plurality of members. In the case of the link support
portion including a plurality of members, the members may be joined
together through welding, bonding or the like. Alternatively, the
members may be joined together with fastening members such as
bolts, rivets or the like.
The upper cross member may include an upper front cross member
including a single member, an upper rear cross member including a
single member, and a connecting member provided between the upper
front and rear cross members and including a plurality of members.
In the case of the link support portion including the plurality of
members, the members may be joined together through welding,
bonding or the like. Alternatively, the members may be joined
together with fastening members such as bolts, rivets or the
like.
The lower cross portion may include a lower front cross member
including a single member, a lower rear cross member including a
single member, and a connecting member provided between the lower
front and rear cross members and including a plurality of members.
In the case of the link support portion including the plurality of
members, the members may be joined together through welding,
bonding or the like. Alternatively, the members may be joined
together with fastening members such as bolts, rivets or the
like.
The right side member and the left side member may each include a
single member or a plurality of members. In the case of the link
support portion including the plurality of members, the members may
be joined together through welding, bonding or the like.
Alternatively, the members may be joined together with fastening
members such as bolts, rivets or the like. The right side member
and the left side member may each include a portion disposed
forward of the upper cross member or the lower cross member in the
front-and-rear direction of the vehicle body frame and a portion
disposed rearward of the upper cross member or the lower cross
member in the front-and-rear direction of the vehicle body frame.
The upper cross member or the lower cross member may be disposed
between the portions disposed at the front of the right side member
and the left side member and the portions disposed at the rear of
the right side member and the left side member.
In the preferred embodiments described above, the body frame
preferably includes the link support portion, the connecting member
(the upper front and rear frame portions), the down frame (the
upper and lower frame portions), and the under frame (the lower
front and rear frame portions), and these constituent elements are
connected together through welding, for example. However, the body
frame of the present invention is not limited to those of the
preferred embodiments. The body frame preferably includes the link
support portion, the upper front and rear frame portions, the upper
and lower frame portions and the lower front and rear frame
portions. For example, the body frame may be integral wholly or
partially through casting. Additionally, in the body frame, the
upper front and rear frame portions and the upper and lower frame
portions may include a single member or may include separate
members.
In the preferred embodiments described above, an acute angle
defined by the turning axis SA of the steering shaft and the
up-and-down direction of the body frame coincides with an acute
angle defined by the direction in which the right shock absorber
and the left shock absorber extend or contract and the up-and-down
direction of the body frame. However, the present invention is not
limited to the preferred embodiments. For example, the acute angle
defined by the turning axis of the steering shaft and the
up-and-down direction of the body frame may be smaller or larger
than the acute angle defined by the direction in which the right
shock absorber and the left shock absorber extend or contract and
the up-and-down direction of the body frame.
In addition, in the preferred embodiments described above, the
turning axis of the steering shaft and the direction in which the
right shock absorber and the left shock absorber extend or contact
coincide with each other. However, the present invention is not
limited to the preferred embodiments described above. When the
vehicle resting in the upright state is seen from a side thereof,
the turning axis of the steering shaft and the direction in which
the right shock absorber and the left shock absorber extend or
contact may be spaced apart from each other in the front-and-rear
direction. Additionally, for example, the turning axis of the
steering shaft and the direction in which the right shock absorber
and the left shock absorber extend or contact may intersect each
other.
In the preferred embodiments described above, the right front wheel
and the left front wheel are supported so that their upper ends
move farther upward than an upper end of the down frame of the body
frame. However, the present invention is not limited to the
preferred embodiments described above. In the present invention,
the right front wheel and the left front wheel may be supported so
that their upper ends move upwards as high as or to a height lower
than the upper end of the down frame of the body frame in the
up-and-down direction of the body frame.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the link
mechanism may include a cross member in addition to the upper cross
member and the lower cross member. The upper cross member and the
lower cross member are so called only from their relative
positional relationship in the up-and-down direction. The upper
cross member is not necessarily an uppermost cross member of the
link mechanism. The upper cross member indicates a cross member
that is located higher than a cross member that is located lower
thereof. The lower cross member is not necessarily a lowermost
cross member of the link mechanism. The lower cross member
indicates a cross member that is located lower than a cross member
that is located higher thereof. Additionally, the cross member may
include two members of a right cross member and a left cross
member. In this manner, the upper cross member and the lower cross
member may each include a plurality of members as long as they
still provide a link function. Further, other cross members may be
provided between the upper cross member and the lower cross member.
The link mechanism preferably includes the upper cross member and
the lower cross member.
The present invention is embodied in many different forms. The
disclosure herein should be regarded as providing the preferred
embodiments of the principle of the present invention. Based on the
understanding that the preferred embodiments described and/or
illustrated herein are not intended to limit the present invention
thereto, several preferred embodiments are described and
illustrated herein.
Several illustrated preferred embodiments of the present invention
are described herein. The present invention is not limited to the
various preferred embodiments described herein. The present
invention can include every preferred embodiment that includes
equivalent elements, modifications, deletions, combinations (for
example, combinations of the characteristics of the various
preferred embodiments), improvements and/or alterations that those
skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains can
think of. Matters limited by claims should be construed widely
based on terms used in the claims and should not be limited to the
preferred embodiments described in this description or during the
prosecution of this patent application. Those preferred embodiments
should be construed as non-exclusive. For example, in this
disclosure, such terms as "preferred," "preferable" and "good" are
non-exclusive terms and indicate that "it is preferred but does not
limit the present invention thereto," "it is preferable but does
not limit the present invention thereto" and "it is good but does
not limit the present invention thereto," respectively.
This patent application claims priority to Japanese Patent
Application No. 2012-278878 filed on Dec. 21, 2012, Japanese Patent
Application No. 2012-278879 filed on Dec. 21, 2012, and Japanese
Patent Application No. 2013-138481 filed on Jul. 1, 2013, the
entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been
described above, it is to be understood that variations and
modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without
departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. The
scope of the present invention, therefore, is to be determined
solely by the following claims.
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